Daulton Varsho DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) is hitting and throwing up to 90 feet, but manager John Schneider said the team is operating as if Varsho will miss time. However, the Jays aren't "putting anything past him." The 28-year-old will more than likely open the 2025 regular season on the injured list after undergoing shoulder surgery last year. When healthy, Varsho will operate as the team's regular center fielder. But until then, all of Joey Loperfido, Nathan Lukes, Jonatan Clase and George Springer could see time in center early in the year. Varsho's glove was his best asset for Toronto in his second year with the team, as he hit a below-average .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 136 games. His shoulder injury could have been to blame, but it also doesn't make fantasy managers in mixed leagues confident that he can rebound coming off shoulder surgery.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) sounds unlikely to be ready for Opening Day in 2025, according to general manager Ross Atkins. "I don't want to limit him, but based on history, that could be unrealistic," said Atkins. Nothing is guaranteed at this time in the offseason, but it sounds like the Blue Jays aren't going to rush the 28-year-old in his recovery from surgery that he had on his right shoulder in late September. We'll have a better idea of his recovery timeline when the calendars flip to 2025, but Varsho's fantasy value will obviously take a hit if he's not ready for Opening Day. The former second-rounder had another below-average offensive season in Toronto in 2024, slashing .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home run, 58 RBI, 10 steals and 73 runs scored in 136 games. Varsho's declining offensive profile and recovery from shoulder surgery won't make him very attractive in fantasy drafts next year.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 14) with a right-shoulder strain and recalled outfielder Steward Berroa from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Given the timing and the fact that Varsho hasn't played in a game since Sept. 11, there's a good chance that his 2024 season might be over. If this is it for the 28-year-old left-handed slugger, he'll finish his second year in Toronto with a weak .214/.293/.407 slash line with 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 137 strikeouts in 513 plate appearances over 136 games played. His injury should open up more time for Nathan Lukes in center field for the rest of the season. In 11 games in just his second year in the big leagues, Lukes is swinging it well with a .357 average (15-for-42) with two doubles, five RBI and a stolen base for Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will remain out of the starting nine on Sunday afternoon due to a sore left shoulder. Mike Wallner of the Toronto Star reports that this injury has kept the 28-year-old out of the lineup since Tuesday. As a result, Nathan Lukes will cover center field and bat in the leadoff spot. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Varsho's status before their game on Tuesday evening against the Texas Rangers. Throughout September, Varsho has carried a mere .148/.207/.296 line. Lukes has tallied 12 hits across his past nine games with two of them going for extra bases. He is worth a look in DFS this afternoon as he will face St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas, who enters Sunday with a 5.55 ERA.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho will start on the bench for Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Rogers Centre. With Varsho out, rookie Joey Loperfido is in center field and is batting ninth, and Nathan Lukes is starting in left field and will hit out of the two-hole versus Cardinals right-hander Erick Fedde. Neither Loperfido nor Lukes have ever faced Fedde before. Varsho is sitting against a right-hander because he has just four hits in his last 27 at-bats (.148) with a homer, double, two RBI, two walks and 11 strikeouts. He has double digits in homers (18) and steals (10) in 136 games in his second year in Toronto but is also hitting just .214 (98-for-459) with a .293 on-base percentage. Lukes is the better DFS sleeper because of his lineup position, and he's hit an impressive .357 (10-for-28) in eight games for the Blue Jays this year.